EAST Yorkshire survivors of Al Qaeda terror attacks have spoken of their relief Osama bin Laden has been killed.
US President Barack Obama confirmed yesterday the man behind the 9/11 terror attack in 2001 had been killed in a fire-fight in Pakistan.
Bin Laden was found hiding in Abbottabad, a two-hour drive from the Pakistani capital Islamabad, when a US team raided a compound.
The news the world's most wanted man had been killed was welcomed by world leaders.
Hessle filmmaker Paul Berriff was with firefighters when the two hijacked airliners slammed into the World Trade Centre in New York, killing 2,752 people.
He told the Mail: "I am pleased they have finally got Osama bin Laden, but I am surprised it has taken so long, given the sophistication of their weapons and equipment."
Mr Berriff, now operations manager at Humber Rescue, which operates a lifeboat from Hessle foreshore, had been filming a documentary series called 'Animal Cops'.
He said: "We heard reports of an attack on the World Trade Center and got down there quickly.
"I had been talking to the fire chief when there was a large explosion.
"Suddenly, all the firefighters started running down the street. No one could have been closer.
"I stayed to get my shot then joined them. But after 15 seconds, this giant cloud of rubble, steel girders and dust caught up with me. I was knocked unconscious for 20 minutes."
When he came round, Mr Berriff, 64, witnessed what he can only describe as "apocalyptic" scenes.
He said: "I managed to find my camera and started taking pictures. To my right, a building was on fire. Fire engines, police cars and ambulances were also alight.
"Because of the dust visibility was 200 yards or less."
American Bob Trachimowicz was living in Cottingham at the time of the September 11 attacks.
He lost 13 colleagues from construction company, Washington Group International, which was based on the 91st floor of the south tower.
Mr Trachimowicz said: "My first thought when I heard about the death of bin Laden was I hoped that it does not lead to a new round of terrorist attacks.
"My thoughts then shifted to the families of the people who perished during the events of September 11, especially my Washington Group colleagues.
"I wished that they could now find some sense of closure in their lives. I felt a sense of relief that the hunt was over."
Jonny Flint, 34, of west Hull, was working in an outdoor store in Manhattan, on September 11.
Across the US crowds have gathered to celebrate the death of bin Laden.
But Mr Flint said : "I am not jubilant about hearing the news Osama bin Laden has been killed.
"For me, this has reminded me of something that happened in my life 10 years ago."
Mr Flint, who is studying for a MA in strategy and international security at the University of Hull, witnessed the aftermath of the Twin Towers attack.
He said: "I remember standing on the roof of a building, perhaps four or five miles away from Ground Zero, and seeing this huge plume of dust.
"There was a very distinctive smell – a slightly burnt, dusty smell.
"I walked to the Queensboro Bridge. Thousands and thousands of people were walking.
"There was hardly any noise. No traffic. Plans were grounded and trains suspended. There was just this feeling of utter shock."
Mr Flint suspects there will be reprisals from Al Qaeda, eager to avenge the death of their leader.
He said: "The fragmented nature of Al Qaeda means this can, in no way, be seen as the decisive battle.
"They will respond in some way, but there are experts working behind the scenes trying to stop this happening."
Mike Pack, former owner of the ice hockey team, Hull Stingrays, survived the Al Qaeda tube bombings in London on July 7, 2005.
A total of 56 people – including the four bombers – were killed in attacks on the Underground and in Taverstock Square, where one of the terrorists blew up a double-decker bus.
Mr Pack, 60, was travelling in the train behind the one that was blown up by a suicide bomber at King's Cross station.
He said: "It was an extremely harrowing time, as it was for a lot of other people.
"I missed getting on that train by 30 seconds. I was just extremely fortunate that day. If I had been walking a little faster I might have been on that train and it could have been a different outcome."
Prime Minister David Cameron, who was informed of bin Laden's death by President Obama in a call in the early hours of yesterday, said it would "bring great relief to people across the world".
He said: "It is a great success that he has been found and will no longer be able to pursue his campaign of global terror."
Britain joined the US-led operation to find bin Laden in October 2001 when the Taliban, who then controlled Afghanistan – refused to hand him over.
Since then, 364 British service men and women have been killed in the country.
Most deaths have occurred in Helmand province in the south, as a result of bombs planted by the Taliban.
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